The Block Arcade

The Block Arcade runs between Collins and Elizabeth streets in the heart of the Melbourne CBD, a magnificent 19th-century shopping arcade and one of the city's most beautiful heritage landmarks. With its stunning mosaic-tiled floors, ornate ironwork, glass canopy and elegant period detailing, it's as much a destination for its architecture as its boutiques and the famous Hopetoun Tea Rooms.

The appeal is that combination of grand Victorian-era beauty and charming specialty shopping: wandering beneath the glass roof, admiring the intricate floors and browsing the boutiques and cafes housed within. It's a genuine slice of old Melbourne, a serene and ornate escape from the busy streets outside.

With a 4.5 rating from more than 3,300 reviews, it's a much-loved landmark. Store and cafe opening hours vary, and the historic tea rooms in particular can be busy, so it's worth checking current details before a special trip — though for a wander to admire the architecture and browse the shops, you can simply stroll in any time and take in one of Melbourne's most beautiful arcades.